Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Inns.
Hi Jenna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m Jenna Inns, and I’m the owner of SALT Bucking Creative Video. Quite a few years ago I met my now husband Sloan Inns in South Africa. I was a program director for a live stage show and I recruited Sloan to be an actor for our production. Can you believe it? We fell in love and he packed a bag (and a guitar) and headed to the states. Of course this is the abbreviated story and we’d love to sit down over coffee to share all the fun details! Now, we run a video production company and we absolutely would not trade it for the world. We’re based right here in Grand Rapids, and our mission is pretty simple: to be the go-to creative video team that turns your story into content you simply “can’t-look-away” from.
For me, it’s all about moving viewers from passive watching to active doing. We launch campaigns for brand-direct clients and savvy marketers that truly stop the scroll. Our specialty is clarifying your vision, telling your unique brand story, and honestly, disrupting the status quo.
My favorite part of this job? Getting you those metrics you never thought possible, driving real results, and living in the future. My secret is that I genuinely love people, and just like salt, I aim to add immense value to both our team and our clients. I’m transparent, I’m enhancing, and I’m adaptable – always ready to meet you where you are and help take you where you want to go. You could say I’m worth my SALT, and then some! While others follow trends, we’re here to buck them and create better ones.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
First hurdle, get Sloan to America legally & apply for a green card.
2nd hurdle, survive 17 years of marriage.
3rd hurdle, have two children with HUGE personalities (plus one has ASD and both have ADHD)
4th hurdle, start a business together — married!
5th hurdle, survive the pandemic…… Think back to 2019: my husband and I took the leap to be business owners full-time, And then….. remember what happened in 2020? We got off the airplane from our last corporate gig in Hawaii…. and …………… everything stopped. Our country seemed to shut down overnight.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At SALT, we believe in bringing our viewers into the very heart of a story, transforming passive observation into a deeply engaging experience. A prime example of this was our collaboration with the Grand Rapids Ballet during the pandemic, where we embarked on the monumental task of bringing “The Nutcracker” to television. This wasn’t just a performance; it was an intimate look behind the scenes, delving into the minds and careers of these incredible local professional athletes and artists. We meticulously filmed the ballerinas in “pods” of four, a logistical challenge that demanded seamless post-production to make it appear as if they were dancing as an entire company – a truly epic feat. Through heartfelt interviews, we wove their individual stories and aspirations throughout the video, creating an inspiring narrative that allowed our audience to truly get to know these dedicated performers, fostering a connection that went far beyond the stage.
We’re not just about creating beautiful videos; we’re about delivering measurable impact. For example, we helped Arbor Circle address mental health management, creating skill videos that saw views increase by 433% during their campaign period. We also helped them reach youth with positive messaging about stress and substance avoidance, leading to a significant increase in website traffic for their events. And for Encounter, we crafted a video and testimonials that helped them not just meet their fundraising goal of $1.5 million, but exceed it, raising over $2 million! These are the kinds of results we strive for with every client partnership.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, the future at SALT is incredibly exciting! We’re thrilled to announce the upcoming release of our first short film, a passion project four years in the making, which truly embodies our dedication to compelling storytelling. Beyond this, we’re actively planning to introduce even more engaging content on YouTube, expanding our reach and connection with our audience. We firmly believe that AI is the future, and we cannot wait to strategically incorporate this cutting-edge technology with our amazing storytelling capabilities to bring viewers even more excitement and innovation. Our love for technology and embracing new things drives us forward. With a new intern from China joining us this season, bringing fresh perspectives and talent, we are simply thrilled with all things SALT and the incredible journey ahead!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.peoplelovesalt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplelovesalt/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/salt-video-production/?viewAsMember=true
